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Given that teams like TX State that move up are ineligible for both playoffs and bowls during a specified transition period, I was wondering if the same principle would apply to teams (presumably Idaho and possibly NMSU sometime in the future) that drop down to FCS. This hasn't happened in a long time, so I'm sure that many of us haven't considered it.

Not that Idaho will be capable of contending for playoffs immediately. I don't believe for a minute that they'll crack the Top Four to Six of the Big Sky, at least not immediately. They are FBSINO, as far as I'm concerned. But if NMSU drops, I think they COULD be at the lower end of the playoff spectrum immediately should the NCAA allow that.

Anyone have the answer, or an opinion on my opinion regarding the two likely ones to break the ice?

I don't have the answer, but I believe that they would have to get down to 63 schollies before they'd be eligible. That would take some time.

I had heard that in the case of Idaho, if they returned to the Big Sky there would be a 2-3 year transition period in which they would get to 63 scholarships. This would allow a lot of the kids that were already on scholarship to not have to lose them. During this transition period they would not be eligible for post-season play at the FCS level.


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Thank you, guys. That makes sense.

EWURanger wrote:I had heard that in the case of Idaho, if they returned to the Big Sky there would be a 2-3 year transition period in which they would get to 63 scholarships. This would allow a lot of the kids that were already on scholarship to not have to lose them. During this transition period they would not be eligible for post-season play at the FCS level.


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Which makes their insistence to go independent at the FBS level even more ridiculous. Essentially, they could be putting themselves out of any chance at post-season play for 4-5 years: 2 years as an FBS independent where their chances at a bowl appearance are about as good as me winning Olympic gold in rhythmic gymnastics and then another 2-3 years after they finally swallow their pride and move down to FCS. May as well just swallow the pill and make the transition now. But that would just make too much damn sense.

SouthDakotaGrizzly wrote:

EWURanger wrote:I had heard that in the case of Idaho, if they returned to the Big Sky there would be a 2-3 year transition period in which they would get to 63 scholarships. This would allow a lot of the kids that were already on scholarship to not have to lose them. During this transition period they would not be eligible for post-season play at the FCS level.


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Which makes their insistence to go independent at the FBS level even more ridiculous. Essentially, they could be putting themselves out of any chance at post-season play for 4-5 years: 2 years as an FBS independent where their chances at a bowl appearance are about as good as me winning Olympic gold in rhythmic gymnastics and then another 2-3 years after they finally swallow their pride and move down to FCS. May as well just swallow the pill and make the transition now. But that would just make too much damn sense.

+1


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SH, you realize NMSU has just 4 winning seasons since 1968, and no more than 7 wins in any of those seasons.

Outsideof blins hate for idaho what makes you think NMSU would be a payoff team before idaho

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It's a combination between a guess, old conference loyalty (they were in the Big West for a while), AND the fact that nobody can trust Idaho or Idaho State to do ANYTHING right.

Not much to hang my hat on, I know. But that's my gut feeling.

I saw Richmond play UMass in 1984 when they were in transition of dropping down from I-A. I don't think they were eligible for the playoffs, but I'm not sure. They were awful good though....There must be a "Marshall" rule somewhere for dropping down a division with regards to the playoffs.

Just looked it up, Richmond did play in the '84 playoffs...the lost to Rhode Island in the 2cd round. I'm not sure what scholarship level they were at in 1984 or what level of transition they were in. URI in the Mid 80's was a dynasty though....

SouthDakotaGrizzly wrote:

EWURanger wrote:I had heard that in the case of Idaho, if they returned to the Big Sky there would be a 2-3 year transition period in which they would get to 63 scholarships. This would allow a lot of the kids that were already on scholarship to not have to lose them. During this transition period they would not be eligible for post-season play at the FCS level.


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Which makes their insistence to go independent at the FBS level even more ridiculous. Essentially, they could be putting themselves out of any chance at post-season play for 4-5 years: 2 years as an FBS independent where their chances at a bowl appearance are about as good as me winning Olympic gold in rhythmic gymnastics and then another 2-3 years after they finally swallow their pride and move down to FCS. May as well just swallow the pill and make the transition now. But that would just make too much damn sense.

FBS only has to fund 77 schollies, so it's possible, if they currently fund 85, that they'll begin dropping schollies immediately to deal with either situation.

Just a guess, though.

When SIU won the 1983 title, it was either their first or second year in 1AA. (Memory is a bit fuzzy.)